Page 379 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
6.
Tracker (Tkr) Dog
The Tkr is trained to follow one or more humans, moving on foot, across varying terrain, following ground scent. Employed after an incident, ground sign or sighting of the individual/individuals to be followed is required to commence the actual pursuit or track. The area should not be disturbed or contaminated to prevent false trails being followed. The dogs provide a valuable source of information as to direction of travel and can be used to determine routes to and from Firing points, OPs, Sniper posts etc. They can be used in offensive and defensive roles. Historically, Tkr MWDs have been used very successfully in Jungle or Close Country environments, such as Malaya, Kenya, Cyprus, Borneo and Vietnam. In these Theatres the MWD was used
in conjunction with visual trackers and Tracking Teams working from ground sign and proved very successful. Tkr MWDs were also used in urban and rural operations during the recent NI conflict. Currently employed in a training capacity at the UK Jungle Warfare Division in Brunei and on routine field training exercises in UK and overseas.
7.
General Purpose Police Dog
Police MWDs provide a multi role capability incorporating protection, patrolling, tracking, building and article search and crowd control (passive and active). They can apprehend a fleeing intruder, using minimum force and locate a hidden person. It provides a ‘stand off ’ capability, circling and barking at an intruder at a minimum safety distance. Trained only to bite the arm they can ‘terminate’ and ‘stand off ’ from an attack if the intruder/suspect no longer poses a threat or at the command of the handler. Predominantly used in Home base security, a great deal of time is spent on maintaining the dogs’ operational efficiency. It is generally single handled.
8.
Infantry Patrol (IP) Dog
Protection variant which does not bite, it affords the user greater tactical movement in the battle space, particularly in Close Country. IP MWDs are trained to detect and silently indicate to the handler the presence of humans. It detects by air scenting, hearing and movement. It works on a line at the front of a patrol; on ‘picking up’ the MWD will ‘point’ in the direction of
the quarry. The IP is valuable as a sentry for giving early and silent warning of hidden personnel such as an ambush position, an occupied En camp or harbour; it is particularly valuable where dense vegetation reduces visibility and freedom of movement. It can also be employed on Reconnaissance Patrols, Fighting Patrols, Sentry Outposts, Standing Patrols and will even locate casualties and underground tunnel complexes. Employed mainly in Close Country environments and currently used in a training capacity at the UK Jungle Warfare Division located in Brunei.
9.
Drug Detection (DD) Dog
The DD dog is trained to passively indicate the presence of narcotics. Useful not only for specific tasks or where there is specific intelligence, but also for deterrence e.g. at points of departure/arrival when FEs are returning from Ops. The DD MWDs are capable of searching personnel, vehicles, buildings, warehouses, houses, barrack accommodation, freight, parcel depots, passenger holding areas and baggage for prohibited drugs. Two types of DD MWD have been trained, Proactive and Passive Response DD dogs. The latter is deployed to work on the lead searching lines of personnel. The MWD will indicate by sitting in front of any carrier, the indication is very specific and ultimately allows the carrier to be thoroughly searched by trained search staff.
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